The History of Love: A Novel by Nicole Krauss Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The History of Love: A Novel
Book Review: What astonishing hype
Summary: 3 Stars
Nothing but rave reviews seems to be coming Krauss' way. Good on the young woman. I was looking forward very much to reading The History of Love, but much as I tackled it with an open mind and heart, I was mostly bored. Sure, the novel is "cryptic", "deep", "complex", "heartbreaking", "heartwarming" and all those other things, but I still found myself struggling with all the characters weaving in and out, changing names, layer upon layer of new characters, some real, some fictitious, all of them having infinite number of personality quirks, going off on ever more bizarre but cute/lovable/tragic tangents. Apart from the young Alma, I could not indentify with any of them because they seemed far too contrived. Any honest teacher of Creative Writing would have taken Krauss up on her many flights of fancy, most of which do not move the plot forward, but seem designed to create mystery and complexity where none is needed.Am I crazy, senile or plain dense not to have been transported to the higher realms of the soul and psyche, as all other readers and reviewers seem to have been? I'm an avid reader and published novelist, open to new ideas and appreciative of any poor soul writing fiction, and I certainly celebrate success. Well, you can't win'em all.
Book Review: Hard to get into...
Summary: 2 Stars
I received this book as a present and after reading the positive reviews on it, was very much looking forward to reading it, but I found the book hard to get into and quite confusing to follow.I think though, I may have missed a very big part of the book - yes it has some emotional moments but I did find myself wondering who was who.
Overall though not a bad read
Book Review: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Summary: 4 Stars
My wife bought me this book after watching a review on an early evening television programme. Had I had the choice I would not have given this book a second glance if it were on the shelf in a bookshop. I rarely ever read a work of fiction twice. I have read 'The History of Love' three times in succession, and yet, I feel compelled to read it again. This book is about life and impending death, the innoncence of youth and the loneliness of old age, joy and heartache, regret for what might have been and hope for what might be. Each time I read it I uncover another link in the chain which binds the characters together. I have no doubt that this will be a favourite of mine for many years to come.Book Review: It was only ok
Summary: 3 Stars
I read the book having read so many rave reviews about it, and it was a "nice" story. I was expecting to be moved to tears (it's very very rare that a book can do that - The Time Travellers Wife was the last one) however, I was disappointed. While it is a nice story of love, it didn't move me that much. Sorry.Book Review: Thought-provoking, moving and delicately written
Summary: 4 Stars
This novel is inspiring and beautiful, a real work of art. Krauss does not attempt to force her thoughts or opinions on the reader, but through gentle persuasion and a steady exposition of character, tempts the reader to see things her way. The passage on Babel is particularly interesting and Bird is truly the most endearing of little brothers. A delicate balance between heartbreak and humour is maintained throughout, culminating in a deeply sad and yet uplifting ending - a thoroughly enjoyable treat of a book.